Ironworker at Savannah Area Ironworkers JAC
at Savannah Area Ironworkers JAC in Pooler, GA
About This Program
The Savannah Area Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship Committee sponsors this union JATC ironworker apprenticeship based in Pooler, GA. Serving the greater Savannah region, this program provides a structured, employer-backed training experience for individuals ready to enter one of construction's most technically demanding skilled trades.
The apprenticeship spans four years and includes 6,000 hours of paid on-the-job training and 576 hours of related technical instruction. Apprentices work on job sites in the Savannah area under journeyman mentorship, learning structural steel erection, reinforcing bar installation, rigging operations, and safe work practices at height. Classroom sessions cover blueprint reading, rigging theory, construction safety, and the technical knowledge required for a wide range of ironwork tasks.
Graduates achieve journeyman ironworker status through a JATC-recognized program, positioning them for careers in Savannah's expanding industrial, port, and commercial construction sectors. The area's significant industrial investment and infrastructure development create consistent demand for trained ironworkers. Apprentices are paid from day one, offering a practical, debt-free route into a skilled trades career.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$29
OJT Hours
6,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
4 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Ironworker Career Outlook
National Median
$28.82/hr
~$59,945.6/yr
Apprentice Start
$18/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Ironworker employment is tied to large-scale construction activity including commercial buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. Federal infrastructure investment and urban development continue to drive demand. The trade has a relatively small workforce, so retirements create proportionally more openings. Ironworkers with welding and rigging certifications are in highest demand.
What to Expect as an Ironworker Apprentice
Duration
4 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~30 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (6,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~144 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Ironworker
Apprenticeship
Trade School
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